Post 1,343 – Team Preview 2024: Newark Central Blue Devils

Newark Central Blue Devils 

August 4, 2024 

2023: 

  • 5-4 
  • Beat Barringer in the North Jersey consolations 
  • Wins included Hoboken, West Side, and Newark Collegiate 
  • Losses included Weequahic, Shabazz, Snyder, and Immaculata 
  • Scored 166 points for an 18.44 average 
  • Allowed 215 points for a 23.89 average 

Graduation: 

  • OL/DL Zymir Turr – Montclair State 
  • LB Koctrell Battle – Montclair State 
  • LB Sharrod Terry – Kean 

Offense: 

  • Formation: Multiple Spread 
  • Returning Starters: 8

Quarterback: 

  • Zahyir Taylor, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – projected starter 
  • Zyon Riley, Freshman, 5-11, 150 – provides depth 

Running Back: 

  • Nahshon Brown, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning co-starter; rushed for 643 yards and 6 touchdowns per nj.com 
  • Zahir Wilson, Senior, 6-1, 220 – 3-year co-starter; rushed for 595 yards and 3 touchdowns per nj.com 
  • Symeir Sorey, Freshman, 5-10, 165 – provides depth 
  • Devaughn Jackson, Senior, 5-8, 170 – provides depth  

Wide Receiver: 

  • Dishon Jerman, Sophomore, 5-11, 170 – returning starter; 21 receptions, 286 yards, and 3 touchdowns per nj.com 
  • Jahsyn Reid, Senior, 6-3, 193 – 3-year starter; 19 receptions, 434 yards, and 5 touchdowns per nj.com 
  • Alsajade Pray, Senior, 5-11, 170 – returning starter 
  • Tyshawn Bailey, Senior, Sophomore, 5-11, 165 – projected starter 
  • Zamar Carr, Junior, 5-7, 140 – provides depth 
  • Samin Henderson, Sophomore, 5-9, 150 – provides depth 
  • Donovan Grant, Freshman, 5-11, 160 – provides depth 
  • Jahir Grandberry, Sophomore, 5-8, 145 – battling an injury  

H-Back (situational):  

  • Wakil Balogun, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter, moving from the line; started on defense 

Offensive Line: 

  • Andrew Wheeler, Junior, 6-4, 235 – returning starter at left tackle 
  • Mamoudou Kamara, Junior, 6-1, 230 – returning starter at left guard 
  • Louikeson Jean-Baptiste, Junior, 6-0, 260 – projected starter at center 
  • Kudus Lawal, Senior, 5-10, 225 – returning starter at right guard 
  • Jayden Gilliard, Senior, 6-0, 235 – projected starter at right tackle 
  • Yusef Beale Jr., Senior, 5-10, 240 – competing 
  • Malcolm Toure, Senior, 6-0, 270 – competing 
  • Zieven Lewis, Sophomore, 5-11, 230 – competing 

Defense: 

  • Formation: 3-4 
  • Returning Starters: 9 

Defensive Line: 

  • Andrew Wheeler, Junior, 6-4, 235 – returning starter at and 
  • Mamoudou Kamara, Junior, 6-1, 230 – returning starter at end 
  • Prince Compaore, Senior, 6-0, 310 – projected starter at nose guard 
  • Marqui Thomas, Junior, 5-10, 295 – competing at nose guard 
  • Malcolm Toure, Senior, 6-0, 270 – part of the end rotation 
  • Davion Cupitt, Sophomore, 6-5, 220 – part of the end rotation 
  • Jayden Gilliard, Senior, 6-0, 235 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

  • Zahir Wilson, Senior, 6-1, 220 – 3-year co-starter on the inside 
  • Wakil Balogun, Senior, 5-10, 185 – 3-year starter on the inside 
  • Kudus Lawal, Senior, 5-10, 225 – returning starter on the outside 
  • Nahshon Brown, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter on the outside 
  • Symeir Sorey, Freshman, 5-10, 165 – provides depth both inside and outside 
  • Jampork Jimenez, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – provides depth both inside and outside 
  • Nathan Vega, Junior, 6-0, 225 – provides depth on the inside 
  • Israel Wangboje, Junior, 5-11, 190 – provides depth on the outside 

Secondary: 

  • Alsajade Pray, Senior, 5-11, 170 – 3-year starter at cornerback 
  • Dishon Jerman, Sophomore, 5-11, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
  • Jahsyn Reid, Senior, 6-3, 193 – 4-year starter at strong safety 
  • Tyshawn Bailey, Senior, Sophomore, 5-11, 165 – projected starter at free safety 
  • Samin Henderson, Sophomore, 5-9, 150 – provides depth at safety 
  • Marlon Henley, Senior, 5-11, 170 – provides depth at safety 
  • Zamar Carr, Junior, 5-7, 140 – provides depth at cornerback 
  • Taheem Ellis, Senior, 5-10, 165 – provides depth at safety 

Special Teams:  

  • Senior Wakil Balogun returns as the kicker and punter 
  • Reid, Pray, and Brown are the return men 

Schedule: 

  • Thursday, 8/29, Bloomfield at home 
  • Thursday, 9/5, at Snyder 
  • Saturday, 9/14, Glen Ridge at home 
  • Friday, 9/20, at Hudson Catholic 
  • Saturday, 9/27, Verona at home 
  • 10/4-5, Bye Week 
  • Friday, 10/11, at Hoboken 
  • Friday, 10/18, Cedar Grove at home  
  • Saturday, 10/26, at Newark Collegiate 

Concerns: 

  • Staying healthy 
  • Can the team gel together?  
  • Consistency 

Recruiting: 

  • Reid verballed to Monmouth 
  • Brown, Wilson, Balogun, Lawal and Pray are receiving D2/D3 looks 
  • Underclassmen: 
  • Wheeler is a 1-A/1-AA prospect 
  • Kamara and Wheeler may be 1-AA prospects 
  • Jerman is a sophomore with offers from Kent State, Duke, Syracuse, Rhode Island, James Madison, and Marshall 
  • Cupitt is intriguing with 6-5, 220 size to play somewhere 

Coach’s Comments: 

“This is going to be my third year with the program and that excites me. We are excited about the defense, the offensive line, and the skill players. We are mentally ready to take the next step.” – Head Coach Mark Ingram

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